Whitefish falls in quarterfinals to Billings Central
Football players 87 Scotty Dalen, senior; 15 Luke Dalen, sophomore; 88, Jayke Thew, sophomore; 4 CJ Thew, senior; 78 JJ McKay, senior, 61 Cash McKay, junior; pose after the game in Billings on Nov. 9. (photo provided)
The Bulldogs’ football season came to an end Saturday in a tough 55-21 quarterfinals loss to Billings Central.
“The outcome of the game is surely not what we hoped,” said Brett Bollweg, Whitefish head coach. “However, it doesn’t change anything about our guys, and who they are as men. I'm so proud of the work that they have put in to get themselves to where they are right now, not just as football players, but as men who will be great dads and husbands one day.”
The Billings Central Rams took the first score, but Whitefish quickly evened it out with a 26-yard scoring pass from Carson Gulick to Cooper Akey.
The Rams, who improved to 10-0, took the game from there, racking up another 14 points in the first quarter, 28 in the second, and 6 in the third, leaving the score 55-7 heading into the final quarter.
Whitefish had a good fight at the end, with Riley Zetooney running for a 42-yard touchdown. Gulick threw a 4-yard scoring pass to fellow senior CJ Thew with less than 15 seconds left on the clock.
Improvement was a highlight for the Bulldogs all season.
“We had a tough beginning of the schedule this year but took care of business in the back half. More than anything else, their growth over the season was fun to watch,” Bollweg said.
Whitefish went into the quarterfinal playoff game with a five-game win streak. They ended the season 7-4 overall.
Thirteen seniors led the program by example throughout the season, Bollweg said.
“The seniors have been no less than we could have ever asked for as coaches, and I’m excited to see what the future has in hold for them,” Bollweg said.
Despite graduating 13, the team is spread out and will see a solid number of returning players, the coach predicted.
“Good things are in store for Whitefish football,” Bollweg said.
Bollweg expresses gratitude for everyone who is a part of the Bulldog community.
“Their support is second to none. It makes all the difference and we’re so grateful for that."
Whitefish 7 0 0 14 - 21
BC Rams 21 28 6 0 - 55
BC — Jack DeBourg 9 run (DeBourg kick), 10:20-1Q
WF — Cooper Akey 26 pass from Carson Gulick (Tait Orme kick), 6:44-1Q
BC — DeBourg 1 run (DeBourg kick), 5:15-1Q
BC — DeBourg 5 run (DeBourg kick), :59-1Q
BC — DeBourg 8 run (DeBourg kick), 11:42-2Q
BC — William Snell 36 pass from Howie Martin (DeBourg kick), 10:20-2Q
BC — Kael Aldrich 10 pass from Martin (DeBourg kick), 6:39-2Q
BC — Martin 1 run (DeBourg kick), :43-2Q
BC — Ayden Salter 28 interception return (kick failed), 10:31-3Q
WF — Riley Zetooney 42 run (Orme kick), 10:28-4Q
WF — CJ Thew 4 pass from Gulick (Orme kick), :14-4Q.